Nice to be able to take Malcolm and Ann on one of our favourite trips. Even arriving in somewhat inclement weather the journey is spectacular taking the little train all around the bay from Hayle. Just down from the station is the hotel Ped ‘N Olva which interested Ann greatly as she holidayed there as a youngster – in an annexe at the end of the garden (no garden now!). Wending our way through St Ives by taxi we ended up at the Tate which Malcolm and Ann wished to visit (not for us….all fur coat and no knickers was my view). But in truth there seemed to be some interesting art on display. Maybe next time for us?

In the meantime we had great fun exploring some of the little streets and snickleways we hadn’t seen before….

as well as the always lively shopping area. In fact some of the shops had as much artistic merit as the Tate?

Lunch? We wouldn’t really go anywhere else than Porthmeor Beach Cafe and, true to form, the weather opened out to something a lot better. More often than not we have visited in October and it is always brilliant here, with a wide-open vista and beautiful light (it is true what they say about the light in St Ives).

Lunch as usual was good. Malcolm was interested in the old pictures on display – one of which showed the Tate in another existence as a gas holder of all things! The current exterior cleverly reflects this…though how many people are aware of the fact I wouldn’t like to say.

A brilliant day out.